19 Dec, 2008
From Athens to Avenue A: A group of 40-50 individuals assembled shortly after 9pm in Tompkins Square Park in Manhattan's Lower East Side last night. Carrying banners they took to the streets marching north on Avenue A., the site of the well known tompkins square park riots of 1989. The group began chanting anti police slogans, as well as anti-capitalist chants. Fliers were handed out talking about the Greek revolt as well as problems here like police brutality, the economic crisis and gentrification.
As the crowd made its way west construction materials and newspaper boxes were dragged into the streets making blockades. At this point Anarchist grafitti was painted on the walls and a yuppie condo was defaced. Allegedly a couple of luxury cars had their windows broken. Marchers chanted "From New York to Greece, Fuck the Police"
As the march took over the 4 lanes of 3rd Ave, police moved in attacking the march. The crowd scattered and 1 person was arrested.
The others fled into the night regrouping at the New School occupation shortly after....
From Athens to Avenue A:
A group of 40-50 individuals assembled shortly after 9pm in Tompkins Square Park in Manhattan's Lower East Side last night. Carrying banners they took to the streets marching north on Avenue A., the site of the well known tompkins square park riots of 1989. The group began chanting anti police slogans, as well as anti-capitalist chants. Fliers were handed out talking about the Greek revolt as well as problems here like police brutality, the economic crisis and gentrification.
As the crowd made its way west construction materials and newspaper boxes were dragged into the streets making blockades. At this point Anarchist grafitti was painted on the walls and a yuppie condo was defaced. Allegedly a couple of luxury cars had their windows broken. Marchers chanted "From New York to Greece, Fuck the Police"
As the march took over the 4 lanes of 3rd Ave, police moved in attacking the march. The crowd scattered and 1 person was arrested. The others fled into the night regrouping at the New School occupation shortly after....
"New School for Social Revolution"
The New School building at 65 5th ave had been occupied by students on Wednesday night. On thursday morning they expanded their occupation after repelling an attack by the NYPD. One member of APOC NYC was arrested in these scuffles, but was released later that night.
At night hundreds of supporters lined the streets in front of the building, chanting in support. The crowed swelled and spilling out onto 5th avenue. As the NYPD brought in metal protest pens in an attempt to control the growing crowds, a shoving match broke out and people poured onto 5th avenue blocking the street completely. Trash and newspaper boxes were thrown into the street with the crowd chanting "From New York to Greece, Fuck the Police!"
The crowd then surged around the corner to an emergency exit which was held open as dozens of supporters and students ran inside to join the occupation.
An hour later Bob Kerrey, the much hated president of the New School, was booed as he left the building after trying to negotiate demands, he was chased down fifth avenue surrounded by security as people chanted "Kerrey Scum Your Time Has Come" and tomatoes were thrown at him. He was followed as he ran to his posh townhouse around the corner at 21 West 11th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue where police were forced to come to his aid. There was a feeling of victory as crowds continued into the night.
Unfortunately late in the night the more liberal, and bureaucratic elements among the occupiers prevailed to end the occupation after winning a few paltry demands (including compensation for school security guards guarding the occupation!). Kerrey is still president even though for a few moments he had to run for his life from enraged students.
More happened in NYC last night than has gone on for a while in this city. The march from Tompkins Square Park was called explicitly in solidarity with greece and the occupations and rioting in Greece was cited as a motivation for many of the more 'radical' students to occupy the New School. It feels like things are changing here in NYC, our collective fear is being shed like dead skin as we realize that our lives depend on using every chance we get to fight for our liberation. More is sure to come in the months that follow.
As the New School occupiers stated: "Be assured, this is only the beginning, "
To the coming insurrection, from Athens to New York City!
~ Infoshop News ~
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